Petunia plant named ‘DANRAY2’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Petunia  plant named ‘DANRAY2’ characterized by having mounded growth habit; large in size, red-purple colored flowers; high floriferous rate; early to bloom with long bloom period; and suitable for patios and outdoor beddings.

Latin name of the genus and species of the claimed plant: Petunia sensu Wijsman.

Variety denomination: ‘DANRAY2’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant, botanically known as Petunia sensu Wijsman, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DANRAY2’.

The new Petunia cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The objective of the breeding program is to develop a new Petunia variety with a mounded plant habit and large inflorescence with unique coloration.

The new Petunia cultivar originated from a cross-made in a controlled breeding program by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, in 2006, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The female or seed parent is Petunia sensu Wijsman ‘PE-1588’ (unpatented), and the male or pollen parent is Petunia sensu Wijsman ‘PE-458’ (unpatented). The new Petunia cultivar ‘DANRAY2’ was discovered and selected by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new Petunia cultivar by vegetative cuttings used in propagation was first performed in April of 2007 in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘DANRAY2’ which in combination distinguish this Petunia as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. mounded growth habit;     -   2. large in size, red-purple colored flowers;     -   3. high floriferous rate;     -   4. early to bloom with long bloom period; and     -   5. suitable for patios and outdoor beddings.

Plants of the new Petunia ‘DANRAY2’ differ from plants of the parents, Petunia sensu Wijsman ‘PE-1588’ (unpatented) and Petunia sensu Wijsman ‘PE-458’ (unpatented) in the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Female Parent Male Parent New Cultivar ‘PE-1588’ ‘PE-458’ Characteristic ‘DANRAY2’ (unpatented) (unpatented) Plant shape Mounded Compact Upright Plant size Height: About 25 Height: About 20 Height: About 35 cm cm cm Spread: About 40 Spread: About 20 Spread: About 30 cm cm cm Growth habit Vigorous Weak Vigorous Flower size Depth: About 3.5 Depth: About 4 Depth: About 3 cm cm cm Diameter: About Diameter: About Diameter: About 7 cm 5 cm 4 cm Flower color Red-purple Purple Light blue Flowering time Early Medium Early

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Petunia ‘DANRAY2’ is the Petunia sensu Wijsman ‘DANCAS110’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,288), in the characteristics described in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison Cultivar New Cultivar ‘DANCAS110’ Characteristic ‘DANRAY1’ (patented) Plant shape Mounded Mounded, bushy Plant size Height: About 25 cm Height: About 25 cm Spread: About 40 cm Spread: About 50 cm Growth habit Vigorous Medium Flower size Depth: About 3.5 cm Depth: About 3 cm to 3.5 Diameter: About 7 cm cm Diameter: About 4 cm to 5 cm Flower color Red-purple Yellow

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Petunia cultivar ‘DANRAY2’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘DANRAY2’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective a typical flowering plant of ‘DANRAY2’ (referenced as Candy Pink Ray) in a 13 cm pot, at 8 weeks after planting.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical flowers, buds and leaves of ‘DANRAY2’ at 8 weeks after planting.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Petunia ‘DANRAY2’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

Plants of ‘DANRAY2’ are grown outdoors in a moderate climate, and grown indoors during the winter. Irrigation and fertilization are needed on a regular basis. For optimal growth, grow plants of ‘DANRAY2’ in full sunlight. Plants of ‘DANRAY2’ are fully grown in 3 months when grown in full sunlight, and bloom all year-round in a moderate climate.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Petunia ‘DANRAY2’ as grown in a greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart (R.H.S.), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately (time) 12:00 noon in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The age of the plant described is 8 weeks from planting.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Petunia sensu Wijsman. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Petunia sensu Wijsman ‘PE-1588’             (unpatented).         -   Male or pollen parent.—Petunia sensu Wijsman ‘PE-458’             (unpatented). -   Optimal growth conditions:     -   -   Light intensities.—Full sunlight.         -   Temperature.—Day: 22° C. to 32° C. Night: 15° C. to 20° C.         -   Temperature tolerance.—Tolerant to a low temperature of             about 5° C. and tolerant to a high temperature of about 40°             C.         -   Fertilization.—A balanced fertilizer with level N: P:             K=5:3:8, using 250–300 ppm Nitrogen.         -   Growth regulators.—Not necessary in Israel climate. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Tip cuttings of side shoots.         -   Rooting habit and description.—Easy to root; root from             cutting base.         -   Time to initiate roots.—About 5 to 10 days at 20° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 14 days at 20° C. -   Plant:     -   -   General appearance and form.—Height: About 25 cm. Spread:             About 40 cm.         -   Growth habit.—Mounded.         -   Growth rate.—Fully grown plant in 3 months.         -   Branching habit and description.—Freely branching, typical             to Petunia species.         -   Flowering response.—Indifferent to day length.         -   Flowering season.—Year round in moderate climate.         -   Winter hardiness/weather tolerance.—Frost tender. Plants may             be damaged by temperatures below 5° C.         -   Lastingness of the individual bloom.—3 to 6 days.         -   Fragrance.—None. -   Stem description:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 20.         -   Length.—About 20 cm to 40 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 0.2 cm to 0.5 cm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Branching.—Freely.         -   Texture.—Pubescent.         -   Internodes length.—About 2.5 cm to 3 cm.         -   Internodes and stem color.—Yellow-green, RHS 144C. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, sessile.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—Elliptic.         -   Apex.—Rounded (Obtuse).         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Length.—About 5 cm to 6.5 cm.         -   Width.—About 2.5 cm to 3.5 cm.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Upper surface: Slightly pubescent. Under surface:             Slightly pubescent.         -   Pubescence.—Upper surface: Puberulent. Under surface:             Puberulent.         -   Color of upper surface.—Immature and Mature leaves: Green,             RHS 139A.         -   Color of under surface.—Immature and Mature leaves: Green,             RHS 137C.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Venation color.—Upper and under surfaces: Green, RHS 137D. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Flower longevity.—About 3 to 6 days.         -   Flower size.—Diameter: About 7 cm. Depth: About 4 cm.         -   Floral tube.—Diameter: 0.3 cm to 0.6 cm at the corolla             surface.         -   Flower shape/type.—Salverform.         -   Average number of flowers per lateral branch.—About 5 to 10.         -   Petals.—Number: 5; all 5 petals are united. Length: About 6             cm to 7 cm (from edge of the petal up to the base of floral             tube). Width: About 3 cm across. Shape: Corolla united with             5 lobes and a long straight tube. Apex: Rounded (Obtuse).             Margin: Entire. Texture: Upper and under surfaces: Glabrous.             Color (when opening and when fully opened): Upper and Under             Surfaces: Red-purple, RHS N66A, with yellow-green, RHS 150D.         -   Sepals.—Number: 5. Length: About 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm. Width:             About 0.3 cm to 0.4 cm. Shape: Oblong. Apex: Truncate.             Margin: Entire. Texture: Upper and under surfaces:             Pubescent. Color: Upper surface: Green, RHS 137A Under             surface: Green, RHS 139B.         -   Bud.—Rate of opening: About 2 to 4 days. Shape: Tubular.             Length: About 2 cm to 3.5 cm. Diameter: About 0.4 cm to             0.8 cm. Texture: Pubescent. Color: Green, RHS 139B.         -   Peduncle.—Length: About 2 cm to 4 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm             to 3 mm. Texture: Pubescent. Color: Yellow-green, RHS 144C. -   Reproductive organs: -   Androecium:     -   -   Stamen.—Number: 5. Length: About 1.5 cm to 2 cm. Color:             White, RHS 155D.         -   Anther.—Shape Round. Length: About 1 mm. Color: Yellow, RHS             11B.         -   Filaments.—Length: About 20 mm. Color: White, RHS 155C.         -   Pollen.—Amount: Abundant. Color: Yellow, RHS 11B.             Pollination requirements: None. -   Gynoecium.     -   -   Pistils.—Quantity: 1. Length: About 20 mm. Color:             Yellow-green, RHS 144B.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Undulate. Width: About 2 mm. Color:             Yellow-green, RHS 144A.         -   Style.—Shape: Terete. Length: About 20 mm. Color:             Yellow-green, RHS 144B.         -   Ovary.—Shape: Narrowly Conical. Position: Superior. Length:             About 4 mm. Width: About 3 mm at the base. Color:             Yellow-green, RHS 144A. -   Seeds:     -   -   Quantity per fruit.—About 200 to 400. Shape: Round. Length:             About 0.5 mm. Width: About 0.5 mm. Texture: No hair.         -   Color.—Black, RHS 202B. -   Fruit:     -   -   Number.—Few, when naturally pollinated.         -   Type.—Capsule.         -   Shape.—Ellipsoid.         -   Length.—About 9 mm.         -   Width.—About 6 mm.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Color.—Yellow-green, RHS 144B. -   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to disease and pests common to     Petunia has not been tested on plant grown under commercial     conditions. -   Disease/pest susceptibility.—Susceptibility to disease and pests     common to Petunia has not been observed on plant grown under     commercial conditions. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Petunia have exhibited good     tolerance to draught, rain and wind; however, flowering may cease     during hot periods (temperatures above 45° C.). Low temperature     tolerance to 5° C. 

1. A new and distinct Petunia plant named ‘DANRAY2’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 